Suicide prevention starts with awareness

Thousands of words have been written or spoken since the news of Robin Williams’ death. People describe the shock they felt upon hearing the news, the sadness they experienced, the sense of loss, and most were left asking, “what could have been done to prevent it?”

The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Please be aware that these warning signs are associated with suicide, but may not always lead to suicide.

Know What To Do!

If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide:

Do not leave the person alone

Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt

Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK FREE (8255)

Take the person to an emergency room to seek help from a medical or mental health professional

Closer to home, in Texas, one in seven Hispanic high schoolers are reported to have a suicide plan. In Bexar County, eight people under the age of 18 have died by suicide as of July 31; a rise in the suicide rate. There are many local and state resources available for suicide prevention. Become familiar with the information.